Altar-worship, or Bowing to the communion table considered as to the novelty vanity iniquity malignity charged upon it. In an antithesis to the determination of Dr. Eleazar Duncon, lately translated, and sent into the world in a Romish dress, with a cross in the front and fine. By Z. Crofton Presbyter, but proved enemy to all fanaticks.

The third Reason from bowing to the Table, examined.

The third Reason is, Because the Table is the memory of the e∣verlasting Sacrifice there made and presented to the Trinity, So saith Shelford, in his Sermon of Gods House, p 2.4, 19. The Table is a memorative Instrument unto which the assistance of Grace is never want¦ing, either to beget in our mind such thoughts of the death of Christ, or to extract from our persons such a worship of him: So saith Ironside, 7. quest. of Sabbath, p. 279. On the Table is celebrated that awful and most venerable Sacrifice, which our Lord himself did institute of

old, for the commemoration, repre∣sentation, application and exhibiti∣on of the most perfect Sacrifice, saith Dr. Duncon in his Determi∣nation de adoratione adversus Al∣tare, p. 22.

Whosoever reads this Reason, cannot, but see we were running very fast, and had made good pro∣gress towards a reconcilement with Rome, having admitted not only Priests and Altars, but a Sa∣crifice, an awful & most venerable Sacrifice, though we yet own it but as a memorable Sacrifice, yet it will soon appear nonsence, that the Lord of old instituted a Sacrifice the memory of a Sacrifice, and will necessitate us to know the nature of a Sacrifice is propitiatory, and as such it must next time be ac∣knowledged, & therefore though these seem to mince the matter, another (contemporary with them, and managing the same

contest) speaks out, and tells us plainly, it is a propitiatory Sacrifice to reconcile us unto God offended with our daily sins, Widowes his Lawl. Kneel. Schis. Puritan, pag. 34, 89. And sure then there can∣not want a reason for most reve∣rent bowing to the Table.

2. Who ever made the Table the memory of the everlasting Sacrifice? When did the Lord of old institute it? Or how doth it appear that it is a memorative instrument, to which the assistance of grace is never wanting? I read no more of promise for the one, than precept for the other: I think the assistance of Grace must be the assurance of God, not appointment of Man, who cannot presume to dispence it, without arrogance and presumption; and then wor∣ship hereby extracted is so far from being acceptable to God, that it is abominable Superstition:

Though these things might som∣thing suit the Elements, they are absurdly predicated of the Table; and bowing to, towards, or before the one or the other, more ab∣surdly concluded; for that nei∣ther the Jews, Christ, his Apostles, Primitive Churches, Fathers or Councils did ever think or teach it a duty, to bow and worship before the place where the memory of the e∣verlasting sacrifice is celebrated.